Father Graeme Dunne, parish priest of St Anthony’s in Vauxhall, says several of his parishioners have also been affected by traumatic break-ins over the last few weeks and is urging anyone with information to come forward.

The priest was asleep at the presbytery on Scotland Road, next to St Anthony’s Church, when he was awoken by glass breaking around 2.30am on Sunday morning,

He told the ECHO: “My initial thought was a picture had fallen from the wall. Somebody was behind the curtain and said they would kill me. I said no they wouldn’t, shut the door and phoned the police.

“The police came very quickly.”

The offender broke the glass on a side door into the presbytery but left the building empty-handed after Father Dunne disturbed him.

Father Dunne told the ECHO he has heard of at least three other attempted burglaries in the parish in the last three weeks.

He said: “The attempted break-in did shake me but I’m very aware that other people in the area have suffered break-ins that have been more traumatic. Any help to stop the increase in burglaries has got to be a good thing for the whole community.”

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Liverpool said: “The police were called and are now dealing with the incident.

“Father Graeme is obviously shaken but unharmed and nothing was taken during the incident.”

Merseyside Police said they believed two offenders were involved and damage was caused to a window.

A forensic examination of the scene and house to house enquiries have been carried out. Officers are looking at CCTV opportunities.

Detective Sergeant Dave Jones said: “While thankfully nobody was hurt and nothing was stolen, the victim was left shaken by this incident.

“It defies belief that someone has targeted the church presbytery, which is a focal point of the community. I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us so we can find those responsible.”

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area of the presbytery to contact Liverpool CID on 0151 777 4065, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.